Link between Fragile X gene and fibromyalgia?

Researchers in Barcelona screened 353 women with fibromyalgia for the FMR1 gene associated with Fragile X syndrome, a congenital disorder. Four carriers were found in the women with fibromyalgia; none were found in the 125 matched controls. They hypothesize that “the FMR1 premutation may be a genetic factor predisposing females to develop fibromyalgia…” The rate of carriers in the women with FM was double the rate of the general population. More research is needed, but the authors suggest that screening would help to predict the possibility of developing fragile X-associated tremor-ataxia. (Clinical Rheumatology; Aug. 18, 2012)